How to Find Kansas Death Records

How to Find United States Deaths Kansas Deaths

The State of Kansas started keeping official records of deaths on July 1, 1911.

Next Step: When did the death occur?	Death Records Choose a time period: Before 1911 1911 thru 1930 After 1930 to the present Death year unknown

Learn more about U.S. Death Records

Deaths before 1911

Before 1911, no deaths were recorded by the state. Between about 1885 and 1911 a few deaths were recorded at the county or city clerk's office in register volumes. Not all of these registers have survived. For deaths that occurred before 1911, try the following databases.

For deaths that exist during the time period, try the following databases.

Indiana Deaths Databases - Includes Index Only
Try 1st:
	1885-1930 - At FamilySearch.org	Free; name index to death and burial records from the state of Kansas. Not complete for all counties.
Ancestry Database - Note: not all counties are included or complete. Choose one of the following:
	1885-1930 - use Ancestry Institution at FamilySearch Centers/Libraries	Free at FamilySearch Centers and Libraries; Find your local FamilySearch Center
	1885-1930 - use your Ancestry subscription	$, To obtain a subscription to Ancestry; Ancestry is often available for free through your local public library
	Can't access Ancestry?	Contact the county where you think the death occurred to request a search.
To obtain a copy of a death record found in one of the indexes above: Contact the county where the death occurred.
Can't find your ancestor in the online index?		Tips for searching online indexes

If the death was not found in the above databases, you must search substitute records to locate your ancestor’s death date and place.

Records that give death information:
Cemetery Records Newspapers Probate (wills, etc) Tax Records	Church Records Census Bible Records

Return to top: Choose another death year

Deaths from 1911 thru 1930

The State of Kansas started keeping official records of deaths on July 1, 1911. Currently, the Office of Vital Statistics does allow requests for genealogical research. Pre-1940 records may be requested by an individual related as at least a cousin. Proof of relationship is required.

STEP ONE: Find Death Information

For deaths that exist during the time period, try the following databases.

Kansas Deaths Databases - Includes Index Only
Try 1st:
	1885-1930 - At FamilySearch.org	Free; name index to death and burial records from the state of Kansas. Not complete for all counties.
Ancestry Database - Note: not all counties are included or complete. Choose one of the following:
	1885-1930 - use Ancestry Institution at FamilySearch Centers/Libraries	Free at FamilySearch Centers and Libraries; Find your local FamilySearch Center
	1885-1930 - use your Ancestry subscription	$, To obtain a subscription to Ancestry; Ancestry is often available for free through your local public library
	Can't access Ancestry?	Contact the county where you think the death occurred to request a search.
Can't find your ancestor in the online index?		Tips for searching online indexes
No death record for your ancestor?		Other records with death information

STEP TWO: Obtain the Certificate

PART A: You know the exact date of death

You can order a copy of the death record for a fee from the following locations:

To Order Death Certificates
From County of Death		From KS Dept. of Health State office
Pros	Cons	Pros	Cons
May be less expensive and faster than ordering from the state	County websites can be more difficult to use	Offers a search of the state index for an additional fee	May be more expensive than ordering from the county

See list of restrictions for ordering death records

If you do not want to order the death record, you can search other records with death information.

PART B: You don't know the exact date of death

If you do not know the exact date or place of death:
The Kansas Department of Health will do a 5 year search, included in the cost of the copy.

See list of restrictions for ordering death records

If you do not want to order the death record, you can search other records with death information.

Return to top: Choose another death year

Deaths after 1930

Currently, the Office of Vital Statistics does allow requests for genealogical research. Pre-1940 records may be requested by an individual related as at least a cousin. Post 1940 records must be requested by an immediate family member. See list of restrictions for ordering death records.

PART A: You know the exact date of death

With an exact date (from your records), you can order a copy of the death record for a fee from the following locations:

To Order Death Certificates
From County of Death		From KS Dept. of Health State office
Pros	Cons	Pros	Cons
May be less expensive and faster than ordering from the state	County websites can be more difficult to use	Offers a search of the state index for an additional fee	May be more expensive than ordering from the county

See list of restrictions for ordering death records

If you do not want to order the death record, you can search other records with death information.

PART B: You don't know the exact date of death

Try:
Social Security Death Index (SSDI)
	1937 to present at Genealogy Bank	Free; most current version; few records before 1962; gives place where the last benefit was sent
Or try:
	Order a 5 year search from KS Dept. of Health Office	($); Scroll down to "To apply for a death certificate by mail..."
Don't want to order the death record?		Search other records with death information

Return to top: Choose another death year

Restrictions for Obtaining Death Records

Restrictions for ordering death certificates from the stated of Kansas:

The Kansas Legislature has determined that the vital records filed with this office are not open for public inspection. They are exempted from the Kansas Open Records Act [K.S.A. 45-221(a) and K.S.A. 65-2422d(c)]. The requestor must meet eligibility requirements and must provide proof of identification.

If you do not want to order the death record, you can search other records with death information.

Return to top: Choose another death year

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